Tennessee Soil and Water Conservation Commission / Soil and Water Conservation Districts

The State Soil Conservation Committee, Tennessee Code Annotated 43-14-201 through 216, provides oversight and assistance to soil conservation districts in carrying out programs directed towards soil erosion control and water quality improvement on farmland.

Its statutory duties include appointing two supervisors to the governing board of each soil conservation district and establishing procedure for the local election of three other supervisors to each district’s governing board, offering assistance to the supervisors of soil conservation districts in carrying out their programs and powers, coordinating the programs of the soil conservation districts and encouraging cooperation among them.  The Committee further serves to advise the Commissioner of Agriculture on agricultural matters.

The Committee meets four times a year, mostly in conjunction with state-wide agricultural events.  All meetings comply with Public Chapter 442, the “Sunshine Law”, requiring public notices of meetings.

The Governor appoints Committee members.  Their terms are for three years, with eligibility for reappointment.  According to statute, there are to be one farmer and one soil conservation district supervisor from each grand division of the state, and one member at large.

The current Committee is as follows:

• Dwight King, SCD supervisor from East TN.  Term ends April 30, 2021.
• Don Holbert, Farmer from East TN.  Term ends April 30, 2020.
• Ricky Essary, SCD supervisor at-large. 
• Pal Neal, (Chair) SCD supervisor from Middle TN.  Term ends April 30, 2020.
• Susan Warf, Farmer from Middle TN.
• Tommy Surber, SCD supervisor from West TN. Term ends April 30, 2021.

For more information, contact John McClurkan, Land & Water Stewardship Section Administrator, at John.Mcclurkan@tn.gov or 615-837-5305.